Davy Jones’ death spurs happy memories of ‘The Monkees’ and music

By Cara Kelly,

Davy Jones, the undisputed heartthrob of the Monkees, died Tuesday morning at a hospital in Stuart, Fla., at age 66. The news conjured many happy memories from Americans who grew up watching the made-for-TV pop band and bought their popular records.

Jones — along with Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz — turned “The Monkees” into a popular TV show and parlayed that into top 40 success that lasted well after 1968, the year the series came to an end. The Beatles knock-off band’s well-known tunes included “Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” and the theme from “The Monkees.”

The “Brady Bunch” episode was one of the first flashbacks many had of the pop star, Chaney says:

But when many people heard the sad news today of Jones’s death, one of the first things they may have flashbacked to was “The Brady Bunch” episode, “Getting Davy Jones.” That was the season three classic in which a determined Marcia Brady — president of the Fillmore Junior High Davy Jones Fan Club — bragged about the fact that she could get the esteemed Mr. Jones to perform at her prom, and grew distraught when she realized this might not happen just because he wrote her a nice letter.

What happened after that, arguably, may have set a precedent for the modern approach to celebrity worship, one in which the average citizen thinks it’s entirely possible to score a date with a famous person simply by making a charming YouTube video.

Monkees member Peter Tork released a statement on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that I reflect on the sudden passing of my long-time friend and fellow-adventurer, David Jones. His talent will be much missed; his gifts will be with us always.” Monkees drummer and vocalist Micky Dolenz told the “Today” show’s Ann Curry, “He was always the go-to guy for fun and a laugh. ... He was a jokester and always was.”

Fans have also expressed their memories and fondness for Jones in comments and on Twitter:

“All of you too young to remember the great years that were the 1960s, when everything was possible and changing almost daily, can mourn the passing of still another piece of that world, Davy Jones. Yeah, we laughed at and with the Monkees, but they laughed all the way to fame and fortune. What fun, and what a great host for our adolescence and coming of age. Rest in Peace, Davy. Thanks for the music.” — wwitk2010

“My first love. RIP, Davy! I had red maracas because of you.”— sarahabc

“I am so sad. Goodbye my '60's crush. I was even fortunate to find a Davy look alike boyfriend for a bit. I wonder where Joe is now? Darling Davy, I hope you have joined that "Heck of a Band" up there in heaven. You will be missed.”— AnnieHallic5678

“I had all of their songs burned into my memory by a big sister with a repeating turntable. Enjoy the ride on the Last Train to Clarksville. RIP” — YourManInKetchikan

“Not too long ago, Davy Jones made a cameo appearance on Spongebob Squarepants - a sight gag about - you guessed it - ‘Davy Jones Locker.’ Gave us a chance to tell our kids all about the Monkees. They were confused, we were nostalgic.” — jlmpwinstel